Dodgers News: Mattingly Believes Dee Gordon Will Break Out Of Slump

The leadoff hitter in a lineup is usually considered the offensive catalyst, providing the spark that ignites an offense.

For Dee Gordon it’s been a tale of two seasons. In his first 28 games this season, Gordon was hitting .355 and had a major league-leading 19 stolen bases. In his last 20 games before last night’s 2-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ leadoff hitter is batting .171 with just 11 stolen bases.

It seems like he just hasn’t been able to get on the last couple games,” said Manager Don Mattingly. “His at-bats look OK.”

In last night’s loss to the White Sox, Gordon was the lone bright spot in a depressing offensive game for the Dodgers. Gordon recorded the only two Dodger hits, added a stolen base and scored the only run for the Dodgers in the game.

Mattingly went on, trying to figure out why Gordon has found himself in this mini-slump:

Who knows if he’s getting a little worn down?” Mattingly said. “That first month he was kind of on fire. He’ll hit that streak again. We just have to make sure we watch after him a little bit, but he’s going to be fine.”

Gordon still leads the majors in stolen bases with 35.The speedy shortstop will look to bounce back offensively as the Dodgers hit the road against the Colorado Rockies. He will be facing Eddie Butler who has yet to face Gordon, or the Dodgers in his career.

This season, Gordon is hitting .333 against the Rockies going 5-for-15 with three runs scored. He will be looking to kick off a hot streak and jump